A brief update. I've left Richmond and am now in DC. The Internet is working well here (who would have thought?) so I won't able to upload videos for a week. I'll continue making them though. Meagher was asking about how Vickbsburg is getting supply. I told him I have no idea either. Does anyone out there know?

The 63 scenario is very difficult for the CSA. As Charles indicated, the lack of supply is challenging even without Union interference. As the US, I could rely on supply trouble to do much of the work of dislodging the CSA from strong positions. This game should be regarded as interesting, but not a test of skill due to the massive advantage I held. All I can say is that I did warn Charles.

I settled on two theaters of operation. One was to force the CSA to abandon VA getting behind Lee's supply lines; the other was to cut off forces along the Mississippi river and eventually put pressure on Atlanta from the east. I had no intention of making a frontal attack in the unfavorable terrain of southeast TN.

The Gulf campaign under Grant got underway quickly. I foolishly chose to test Vicksburg and even more foolishly allowed heavy casualties by carelessly moving along the river. On the other hand, I believe I did well to focus on taking control of the railroads rather than remaining obsessed with the forts. I had to interrupt my progress at times to assure supply, but I was able to isolate CSA forces and overrun MS and AL.

In VA I first tried the direct rout of turning the CSA left. I was very tempted to continue hammering away at Lee's line, and it may have worked, but I chose to shift resources to an amphibious campaign in NC. Although I was unable to cut the rail to Richmond and almost got myself in trouble, Reynolds' army stretched out Lee's forces and forced several costly battles. By the time I had been driven out of NC, Lee's forces had lost much of their strength, while I could replace my losses without even drafting.

In my opinion, the decisive moment came when I exploited the two-week turns to steal a march on the ANV and get two strong corps in position south of Fredricksburg. The major Union victories came as a direct result of this maneuver which forced the ANV to abandon it's trenches and engage in the open field. I may make another post detailing this portion of the game.

After Charles managed to somehow hold a line at NC, I decided to shift operations directly to GA. My execution was somewhat sloppy, especially at Fort Gadsden where I spent a month marching through the swamp in the wrong region. Still, I maintained sufficient force to deter a counter attack and interrupted supply into Atlanta and Chattanooga. Taking Savannah opened up a reliable supply rout for my forces in central GA while the CSA army melted away through the winter and spring.

If there is anything to learn from my play in this game, it is how to defeat a strong position by cutting off its supply rather than direct assault. Or perhaps its to never sail past enemy forts using the river pool.